Texas Sen. Cornyn Won’t Back Cruz In 2016 Primary Bid

Texas Senators John Cornyn, left, and Ted Cruz speak with reporters about the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion at a news conference on Friday April 19, 2013. The massive explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. W... Texas Senators John Cornyn, left, and Ted Cruz speak with reporters about the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion at a news conference on Friday April 19, 2013. The massive explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. Wednesday night killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160. The bodies of 12 people have been recovered, authorities said Friday. (AP Photo/Star-Telegram, Ron T. Ennis) MORE LESS
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Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said on Monday that he won’t back his fellow Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

In an interview with Politico, Cornyn said that he would not endorse any candidate in the primary.

“You know, we’ve got a lot of Texans who are running for president, so I’m going to watch from the sidelines,” he said.

When asked if he would support Cruz’s run financially, Cornyn responded, “Nope. You got a lot of people involved, and I don’t see any benefit to them or to me.”

Cornyn’s lack of support does not come as a huge surprise, as Cruz would not endorse Cornyn in his 2014 Senate re-election primary against Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX). Cruz later endorsed Cornyn after he defeated Stockman.
Cornyn denied to Politico that his decision not to endorse Cruz was a response to Cruz’s refusal to endorse him in 2014.

Cruz announced his 2016 presidential run early Monday morning on Twitter. He followed up his announcement with a Monday speech at Liberty University in Virginia, where he supported “abolishing” the IRS and securing the border.

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